Language is weird. We use the word "like" constantly, but it carries a heavy burden. Sometimes it’s a filler word that buys us time while our brains catch up to our mouths. Other times, it’s a precise preposition or a verb expressing deep affection. If you’re writing an essay, a professional email, or just trying to sound less like a teenager in a 90s sitcom, you’re probably hunting for another word for like to break the monotony.
The problem is that "like" is a linguistic chameleon. You can’t just swap it out with a synonym from a dusty thesaurus and call it a day. Context is everything. Are you comparing two things? Are you expressing a preference? Or are you just trying to avoid that repetitive "and then I was like, and he was like" loop that drives English teachers crazy?
Honestly, most people fail at this because they try to be too fancy. They swap "like" for "similarly" in a text message and end up sounding like a Victorian ghost. It’s about nuance.
When You’re Using it as a Comparison
When you say something is "like" something else, you’re drawing a parallel. It’s a bridge. But bridges come in different shapes.
If you’re looking for another word for like in a comparative sense, "similar to" is the most common workhorse. It’s safe. It’s reliable. But it’s also a bit boring. If you want to show a stronger connection, try "akin to." It has a slightly more sophisticated flair without being pretentious. For example, "His passion for vintage watches is akin to an obsession." See? Much better.
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Sometimes the comparison is about form. In these cases, "resembling" or "in the vein of" works wonders. If you’re describing a new artist who sounds a bit like David Bowie, you might say they are "reminiscent of" his Thin White Duke era. This adds a layer of nostalgia and expertise to your description that a simple "like" just can’t touch.
The Verb Trap: Expressing Preference
We use "like" as a verb for everything from pizza to our soulmates. That’s a lot of heavy lifting for four letters.
When you want another word for like because you’re tired of saying you "like" your job or "like" a new movie, look at the intensity of your feeling. Do you just "enjoy" it? Or do you "appreciate" the craftsmanship involved? There’s a world of difference between "I like this coffee" and "I savor this coffee." One is a passive observation; the other is an experience.
For professional settings, "favor" or "approve of" are great substitutes. If a manager asks what you think of a proposal, saying "I like it" sounds a bit thin. Saying "I favor the second option due to its scalability" makes you sound like the smartest person in the room. Or at least someone who actually read the proposal.
- Fancy/Formal: Admire, esteem, revere.
- Casual/Warm: Fancy (if you’re feeling British), dig (if it’s 1968), into.
- Professional: Partial to, advocate for, endorse.
The "Filler Word" Epidemic
Let’s be real. This is why most of us are here. We use "like" as a verbal crutch. Linguists call these "discourse markers." They signal that we’re about to say something, or they give us a millisecond to think.
The best another word for like when it’s a filler is... nothing. Just a pause.
Silence is terrifying. We feel the need to fill the air with sound so people don't think we’ve stopped working. But a well-placed pause actually makes you sound more confident. Instead of "It was, like, really big," try "It was... massive." The silence creates tension and emphasis.
If you absolutely must use a word, try "essentially," "basically," or "roughly." But use them sparingly. If you swap every "like" for "essentially," you’ll just sound like a different kind of robot. "He was, like, fifty feet away" becomes "He was approximately fifty feet away." It changes the tone from a casual story to a police report.
Technical Substitutions for Academic Writing
In academic or technical writing, "like" is often seen as too informal. It lacks precision. If you’re writing a thesis or a white paper, you need to be surgical with your word choice.
If you are introducing an example, don’t say "like." Use "such as" or "for instance." These are the gold standards for a reason. They tell the reader exactly what is happening: you are moving from a general concept to a specific illustration.
When comparing data, "comparable to" or "equivalent to" provides the mathematical weight that "like" lacks. "The results were like last year's" is weak. "The results were consistent with the previous year's findings" is data-driven and authoritative.
The Difference Between "Like" and "As"
This is the hill many grammarians die on. It’s a classic struggle. Basically, "like" is a preposition and should be followed by a noun or pronoun. "As" is a conjunction and should introduce a clause.
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- Correct: He runs like a deer. (Noun follows)
- Correct: He runs as a deer does. (Clause follows)
Most people don't care about this in conversation. Honestly, if you follow this rule strictly in a bar, people might look at you funny. But in a cover letter? It matters. Knowing when to use "as" instead of another word for like can be the subtle cue that tells an employer you have a high level of literacy.
Semantic Variations You Didn't Think Of
Sometimes we use "like" to mean "nearly" or "about."
"There were, like, twenty people there." In this case, your another word for like should be "approximately," "roughly," or "circa" (if you're talking about dates). Using "roughly" feels more natural in conversation. "Circa" is strictly for history buffs and art curators.
If you’re using it to mean "characteristic of," try "typical of" or "befitting." "It’s just like him to be late" becomes "It’s typical of his character to arrive late." This shifts the focus from a simple observation to an insight into someone's personality.
Why We Struggle to Change
Habit is a powerful thing. Our brains are wired for efficiency. "Like" is the path of least resistance. It’s a high-frequency word because it’s easy to retrieve.
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To actually use another word for like in your daily life, you have to slow down. You have to think about the flavor of the word you want. Words have "color." Some are cold and clinical (e.g., "analogous"), while others are warm and evocative (e.g., "reminiscent").
If you’re writing, the best tip is to do a "Find" command for "like" once you're finished. You’ll be shocked at how many times it pops up. Then, go through and evaluate each one. Does it need to be there? Is there a word that conveys the meaning more sharply?
Actionable Steps for a Better Vocabulary
You don't need to memorize a dictionary. You just need a few "go-to" pivots.
- Identify your "Like" Type: Are you a "filler" user or a "comparison" user? Record yourself talking for three minutes. You’ll hear the pattern immediately.
- The "Such As" Rule: For the next week, every time you want to give an example in an email, force yourself to type "such as" instead of "like." It’s an easy win.
- Embrace the Pause: Practice sitting with silence. When you feel a "like" coming on as a filler, just stop talking for a second. It feels like an eternity to you, but to the listener, it looks like deep thought.
- Read Diverse Genres: If you only read Twitter, you’ll write like Twitter. Read a technical manual, then a 19th-century novel, then a modern piece of journalism. Notice how they handle comparisons.
- Use "Similarly" and "Likewise": These are great transitions between sentences that replace the "It’s like how..." opening.
Expanding your vocabulary isn't about showing off. It's about being understood. When you use a more specific word, you leave less room for confusion. You paint a clearer picture. "Like" is a smudge; "resembling" is a brushstroke.